Dealing with lower property values and increased funding requests and mandates, Buncombe County faces a tough picture as it prepares its budget for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1.
Tag: Buncombe County
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Retreat, but no surrender: Buncombe Commissioners meet to hash out budget
Dealing with lower property tax revenue and increased funding requests, Buncombe County faces a tough budget picture this year. The Board of Commissioners will meet April 12–13 for a special budget retreat to try to hash things out with County Manager Wanda Greene and other staff.
Bought & Sold: Forgotten documents highlight local slave history
In Buncombe County, thousands of slaves toiled as cooks, farmers, tour guides, maids, blacksmiths, tailors, miners, farmers, road builders and more, local records show. And after mostly ignoring that troubled history for a century and a half, the county is now taking groundbreaking steps to honor the contributions of those former residents by making its slave records readily available online.
Maps reveal how Asheville, county property values have shifted
Maps from the Buncombe County Tax Assessor’s office reveal how property values shifted — sometimes drastically — after the recent property revaluation. Almost every neighborhood within the city of Asheville saw values rise, while the housing market crash hit most areas of the county hard, with some areas even losing half their property value.
On second thought: Commissioners approve discrimination ban, will need additional vote
After hearing more than 40 minutes of public comment on the matter, commissioners voted 4-3 to add language that protects Buncombe County workers from harassment based on sexual orientation to the personnel ordinance. Above, Executive Director of the Campaign for Southern Equality Jasmine Beach-Ferrara smiles after speaking in favor of the expansion of the county’s nondiscrimination statement. (Photo by Caitlin Byrd)
Back again: County Commissioners to weigh in on discrimination policy tonight
Less than a year after three Buncombe County commissioners rejected a resolution that would protect government workers against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, the proposition returns to the board for reconsideration tonight.
Equality or sacrilege? Community weighs in on partner benefits for county employees
Here’s a look at some of what supporters and detractors had to say during a recent public hearing on providing domestic partner benefits to Buncombe County employees.
For Kids, By Kids: What we did on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
In our March 20 For Kids, By Kids issue, the youth speak for themselves. Here, The Learning Community students share what they did on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.a
Buncombe County ranked 19th healthiest county in NC, a drop from No. 14 last year
A national study released today by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute shows that Buncombe County remains one of the top 20 counties in the state for overall county health rankings for the third year in a row. However, the No. 19 ranking received this year was a drop from the No. 14 spot held by the county last year. (Graphic by Emily Busey)
Buncombe Commissioners approve domestic partner benefits on party line vote
Buncombe County commissioners voted March 19 along party lines to extend employee benefits to both same- and opposite-sex domestic partners.
LIVE: Updates from the March 19 Buncombe Commissioners meeting
At their March 19 meeting, Buncombe Commissioners will consider extending county employee benefits to both same- and opposite-sex domestic partners. This post features live updates from the meeting via Twitter.
Fryar apologizes for harsh words, calls for A-B Tech trustees to resign
In a letter sent to several local media outlets, Buncombe County Commissioner Mike Fryar apologized for calling A-B Tech President Hank Dunn a “little Hitler” and a “sick little puppy.” But the freshman commissioner continues to lambast the president in the new letter, arguing that Dunn acted outside his job description in a way that “undermines the authority of the full Board of Trustees.” He also calls for trustees who worked with Dunn on the maneuver to resign.
Coming up! The For Kids, By Kids Issue features art, poetry, photos and more
The kids are coming: Later today, the March 20 “For Kids, By Kids” issue arrives. In this special issue, the kids speak for themselves — from haiku to photos. This cover design was based on a submission from India Jade Nelle (to see her original piece, click through).
Exhibit spotlights hidden local African-American history
The Buncombe County Register of Deeds Office has opened an exhibit to commemorate the 150-year anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and to remember those who were enslaved and their immeasurable contributions to our community. Along with the exhibit, the county has produced a short documentary, Forever Free, which features historians and descendants of slaves speaking on the significance of these records and the importance of acknowledging our past. Watch it here.
Buncombe County considering same-sex partner benefits
A key committee is recommending that Buncombe County extend employee benefits to both same- and opposite-sex domestic partners.
Back to the Future: Two men, two buildings, two feuding local governments
This year, both Asheville City Hall and the Buncombe County Courthouse turn 85. The two classic buildings are both undergoing renovation or expansion, part of an effort to keep them a center of civic life for the next 85 years. A look at their history, their future, and the end of the old feud that created them. Photos by Max Cooper.
Financial aid: Commissioners consider new Asheville schools
Asheville City School officials pitched the Buncombe County commissioners on building two new schools March 5, but no decision was made on funding the roughly $65.8 million request.
LIVE: Updates from the March 5 Buncombe Commissioners meeting
At their March 5 meeting, Buncombe County commissioners will consider a proposal by the Asheville City Schools system to spend roughly $60 million on new homes for Isaac Dickson Elementary and Asheville Middle schools.
Buncombe Commissioners preview: School choice
At their March 5 meeting, Buncombe County commissioners will consider a proposal by the Asheville City Schools system to build new homes for Isaac Dickson Elementary and Asheville Middle schools.
VIDEO: Take a look at Asheville Middle School and the new building design
In these videos, Asheville Middle School Teacher Terry Wright gives viewers a sense of some of the problems with the facility and architects display some of their plans for a new building to replace it.
VIDEO: Tour Isaac Dickson and take a look at the new building design
In these videos, Isaac Dickson Principal Brad Johnson gives viewers a sense of some of the problems with the facility and architects display some of their plans for a new building to replace it.